Middle School music

General Music

"The arts offers a place to express oneself, and to have the opportunity to be part of a community that is supportive at the highest level. From the students to faculty to the parent community, there is not a better place than Collegiate to begin the journey of discovering one’s passion."Mike BoydDirector of Performing ArtsStaff Directory

The music department offers students opportunities for cultural and aesthetic experiences through active participation in music in a variety of ensembles and private study. The department produces and sponsors musical events that enhance the cultural life of the campus, the school community and the Richmond area. Its goal in and out of the classroom is to create a musical community that is rich with cultural, social and intellectual diversity.

The choral experience starts during a student's first year and can last until graduation. The love of music can easily be found through the art of singing with goal of choral music being to explore a variety of styles throughout each of a student's years. Numerous opportunities exist to participate in choral music in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.

Joy and passion are two words that can be associated with instrumental music. Collegiate offers a number instrumental ensembles in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools. The music program takes a cue from the standards listed by the National Association of Music Educators and encourages our students to create, perform and respond.

Our students instinctively enjoy the art of play and are allowed to explore it through music. In the classroom, this format encourages students to learn the fundamentals of music by building on a logical sequence of musical skill development, a deep understanding of music and the concepts from around the world.

General Music

Imitation, experimentation, and personal expression occur naturally as students become confident, life-long musicians and creative problem solvers. Our approach to teaching is a model for optimal learning in today’s classrooms. Encouraging creativity that extends far beyond the music classroom, our faculty use an approach to building musicianship in every learner through the integration of music, movement, speech, and drama.

Lower School

List of 5 items.

Kindergarten music curriculum focuses on basic Kodaly syllabication and simple rhythmic patterns, playing rhythm instruments and learning rudiments of music vocabulary. Students sing songs of varying genres, learn about great composers and their music, play "games" to reinforce core concepts (high-low, slow-fast, etc.) and participate in singing games as well as other patterned and creative movement.

First grade music students continue to strengthen rhythmic skills and follow rhythms independently. Emphasis is placed on melodic study, with the introduction of staff, line/space and other basic components of written music. They participate in a staged musical production, study Native American songs and dances, continue their study of well-known compositions, expand singing material, improvise on rhythmic and melodic instruments, and increase their ability to perform stylized dances.

The second grade music curriculum includes a continuation of concepts begun in K and 1, with a focus on proper singing techniques, creative rhythmical movement, music compositional structures, rhythmical tracking, score reading, hand bell study, Orff instrumentation and an appreciation for music's role in each student's life. In February, there is a culminating, multi-integrated (with the social studies curriculum) program "States' Fair."

The third grade music curriculum builds on a solid foundation continuing from K - 2 music, and includes a more focused attention to music performances of the classes, reading and use of the basic musical notation and terminology, compositional units that require analysis and synthesis of the piece, careful listening and awareness of sound, and an attention to music score reading as singers, instrumentalists, and dancers. Also included is an integrated program (with the social studies curriculum) entitled, "Colonial Days."

The fourth grade music curriculum continues to further sharpen the skills of each student and reinforces concepts from the K - 3 curriculum, concentrating on student-created, unique compositions within specific guidelines, American folk dances and dances from other cultures, a more concentrated study of score reading with hand bells and choral singing, a specific chorus for 4th grade (Cantorion) and an overall appreciation for music and its enjoyment and importance to our culture. Also included is an inclusive and integrated program (with the social studies curriculum) entitled "An American Mosaic."

Middle School

List of 3 items.

Students learn the fundamentals of rhythm, melody, harmony, tone color,
form score reading and musical styles. Skills are developed through the
singing of folk songs, movement activities, and playing rhythm and Orff
instruments. Students study the instrumental families of the orchestra
and attend a performance of The Richmond Symphony’s “Discovery Concert.”

In the 6th grade music rotation, the primary objective is to have all students “make music.” A familiarity with fundamental terms and forms is developed as students sing, play rhythm and Orff instruments, and improvise. A unit on famous composers is included, in which students will present their reports to the class.

In the music rotation of 7th grade, students experience the elements of music through listening and playing of rhythm and Orff instruments. Style and form are presented through excerpts from classical music and the folk music of different cultures, with special emphasis on American music styles. It is expected that each student will attend one live musical performance during the nine-week period.